Youth Radio

High schoolers often shell out at the end of the year. There's yearbook costs, senior trips and the prom. All of that adds up in a normal year, but in the midst of a deep recession, parents and teens are scrambling to find creative solutions to finding the "perfect prom dress."

High schoolers often shell out at the end of the year. There's yearbook costs, senior trips and the prom. All of that adds up in a normal year, but in the midst of a deep recession, parents and teens are scrambling to find creative solutions to finding the "perfect prom dress."

The latest estimates on the average cost of college from the National Center for Education Statistics is more than $11,000 for public schools and $28,000-plus at private institutions. Those price tags combined with a troubled economy mean high school seniors and their families are making tough choices about paying for college. Youth Radio's William Nelligan is one of them.

The latest estimates on the average cost of college from the National Center for Education Statistics is more than $11,000 for public schools and $28,000-plus at private institutions. Those price tags combined with a troubled economy mean high school seniors and their families are making tough choices about paying for college. Youth Radio's William Nelligan is one of them.

The economy is making paying for college an even bigger financial challenge. Youth Radio contributor Mayra Jimenez has the motivation to go to college — she just hopes she can afford it.

The economy is making paying for college an even bigger financial challenge. Youth Radio contributor Mayra Jimenez has the motivation to go to college — she just hopes she can afford it.

On New Year's Day a transit officer shot and killed an unarmed man, sparking multiple demonstrations and community outrage. Then last Saturday, a 26-year-old parolee shot and killed four Oakland police officers. Youth Radio's King Anyi Howell says the people of his city are weary.

When one door closes, another opens. The transformation from childhood to adulthood is no different. Youth Radio contributors share these thoughts on bidding adieu to childhood.

When one door closes, another opens. The transformation from childhood to adulthood is no different. Youth Radio contributors share these thoughts on bidding adieu to childhood.

President Barack Obama's newly appointed Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, is perhaps best-known for his work in Northern Ireland. Youth Radio visited the neighborhood more than a decade after the end of the unrest to check out the aftermath of the peace process for the city's young people.

President Barack Obama's newly appointed Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, is perhaps best-known for his work in Northern Ireland. Youth Radio visited the neighborhood more than a decade after the end of the unrest to check out the aftermath of the peace process for the city's young people.

With the economy in a slump, liquor stores in the San Francisco Bay Area are offering department store fashion at a reasonable price.With the economy in a slump, liquor stores in the San Francisco Bay Area are offering department store fashion at a reasonable price.

With the economy in a slump, liquor stores in the San Francisco Bay Area are offering department store fashion at a reasonable price.With the economy in a slump, liquor stores in the San Francisco Bay Area are offering department store fashion at a reasonable price.

Once a cheap way to make colorful clothes, high-end designers have brought back tie-dye and even given it a new name.

Once a cheap way to make colorful clothes, high-end designers have brought back tie-dye and even given it a new name.